Willy is a one year old, neutered male. He was neutered at 8 months. He currently weighs about 9-10 pounds (best we can tell with holding him on bathroom scale). My concern is this: At his current weight for his age -- can we really expect him to ever grown into the 16+ pound range for which we paid $500? I'll never regret what we spent for him -- however, when other family members raise their eyebrows, I say to them, "You just wait and see how BIG he is going to get!!" - Now, I'm not so sure. While Willy certainly won our hearts -- I'm not sure I can say the same for the breeder.

So: Can we expect him to grow up to be anywhere near 16+ pounds? I'd sure like to get a handle on this as we wait for him to mature over the next 3 or 4 years.

Respectfully,

Gary Oxner San Antonio, Texas

-- Anonymous, July 24, 1999

Answers

Maine coons do not reach maturity until they're about 3-5 years old. So he has quite some time to fill out. Other people spend over a $1000 dollars on pure bred dogs, spending 500 bucks on a pure bred cat isn't extravagent. I wouldn't obsess so much over your cat's weight... as long as your cat is healthy and happy...why should it matter?

-- Anonymous, July 26, 1999

I have a large neutered male, also named Willie, so I just had to reply. I've been told he's a Maine Coone, but have nothing in writing. He weight 16-17 olbs on a good day (and that's not fat, that's cat!!) He's brown/black tabby, furry feet, tufts on the ears and a big maine under his chin and he like to talk a lot.

I'm sure your Willy will grow to the weight you are expecting. I saw a female maine coone at a cat show this year and at 9 months she was 10 lbs, so I'm sure your Willy is on his way!!

Beth Moulton, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

-- Anonymous, July 26, 1999

Your Willy is just fine. I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed by the expense too. We have 2 brothers (Sherman and Peabody) and they're 10.5 and 11 lbs at 9 months. Picking them up at the same time makes me pause to think what they'll be at 2-3 years. Enjoy your guy...we love ours.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 1999

My Ranger is 9 months old now, he's around 13 pounds. My little monster truck. His biggest growth spurt was at 5-6 months. My breeder told me that they go through a big growth spurt at 8-9 months, but he's just growing steadily. I had him neutered just before he turned 9 months. I spent $450 on him, $50 discounted because I took him for his second shots when I got him. Worth every cent, and I'd spend more!! Best way to weigh him at home: Weigh yourself, then pick him up and weigh both of you, and subtract.

-- Anonymous, September 05, 1999

Sounds like your Willy is doing fine. I have a 5 1/2 month old male MC, Simon, who weighed 8 pounds today at the vet. We are watching him (along with his breeder) because we think he is going to be a very big boy. The $500 we paid for him didn't make us blink an eye!! Money couldn't touch him now. Enjoy your boy, he will be worth a lot more to you than your original purchase price before you know it.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2000